What Should Happen To The Family Pet?

By Robin Roshkind, Esquire, West Palm Beach, Florida

Famly pets are not people. Dogs, cats, birds, mice, and whatever else you may have at home that lives, breathes and eats, are viewed under the law the same way that your kitchen table is viewed…that is as chattel or in English, property. In divorce, someone will get the kitchen table, and someone will get the sofa. Someone, too, will get the family pet.

Usually, a dog, cat or whatever, will go where the children go. Pets like children will be shared. But not by court order. Let’s say a couple does not have any children but has a very expensive French poodle. The parties themselves can AGREE on time sharing with the pet, if appropriate. The judge, on the other hand, will value it and place it as an asset to one or the other of the divorcing parties.

It is not any easier where things come in pairs, like two French poodles. You may be able to agree to split them, but that defeats the purpose of having two. If the parties cannot agree, the judge will lay down the law. For help with this problem or other divorce issues, call one of the divorce lawyers at ROBIN ROSHKIND, P.A. at 561 835 9091 or click on the Firm’s web site at www.familylawwpb.com for more information.